Victoria, BC (September, 2004): Each summer, veterinarians treat thousands of pets suffering from heat -related emergencies. The most common ailments, dehydration and heatstroke, can be avoided by supplying pets with a continual source of cool, fresh water. Contech Electronics Inc., has developed an automatic outdoor pet fountain designed with both dogs and their owners in mind. Just in time for the sweltering summer months, the WaterDog™ delivers an advanced solution to the stagnant or empty water bowl. Easily install the WaterDog on any outdoor faucet to supply your dog with fresh, clean water on demand.

How does it work? The WaterDog's intelligent sensor automatically turns the flow of water on when your dog approaches and off when it leaves. As dogs will often not drink sun -heated water, the WaterDog decreases the risk of dehydration during the hot summer months by providing your dog with a source of fresh cool water.

"Summer brings added responsibilities for pet owners who must remember the importance of keeping dogs constantly hydrated with cool, clean water," said Erik Djukastein, president of Contech Electronics. "The WaterDog is a saving grace for dogs and their owners. Its convenient - no more refilling the water bowl each day; and it's proven to be cleaner and safer for dogs that regularly share a water bowl. In addition, the WaterDog can significantly reduce the risk of contracting intestinal diseases such as Giardia, which can result from dogs drinking stagnant water contaminated by parasites or bacteria."

The WaterDog is easy to install (no tools needed) anywhere there is a faucet. It is made of durable plastic and operates up to one year on a single set of batteries. An additional hose connection allows a garden hose to be hooked to WaterDog so it won't block your faucet. The WaterDog retails for approximately $69 at JB Wholesale Pet Supply (www.jbpet.com), Foster & Smith, Inc. (www.drsfostersmith.com), Future Pets (www.futurepets.com) and at PetSmart Direct (www.petsmart.com).

In addition to providing a constant supply of water, Contech supports the following summertime pet safety tips from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA):

Never leave a pet in the car, even with the windows cracked. The sun can raise the temperatures up to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes.
A pet's fur may not be enough protection from the summer sun, especially for light -colored animals. Keep pets out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and don't be afraid to use sunscreen on sensitive spots like the nose and ear tips.
Make sure pets have plenty of shade and ventilation on hot days.
Do not exercise pets during the hottest part of the day.
Keep an eye out for signs of heat stress, which include heavy panting, salivation, high heart rate, bright red gums, muscle weakness and collapsing. If a pet is overcome with heat, immerse it slowly in cool water to lower body temperature, and contact a veterinarian immediately.

Contech Electronics Inc., based in Victoria, British Columbia, was formed 15 years ago. President Erik Djukastein and his late father, Klaus Djukastein, made it the company's mission to improve harmony between animals and humans. Their focus on developing innovative new devices that really work has made Contech a leader in the pet industry. Contech is also known for its award -winning Scarecrow outdoor animal -repelling sprinkler and its patented Scat Mat, designed to keep animals off furniture. For more information on Contech or its products, call 1 -800 -767 -8658 or visit www.waterdoginfo.com.

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